The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released the June 2025 Printing-Writing Monthly report.
According to the report, total printing-writing (P-W) paper shipments decreased 6% in June compared to June 2024. With a projected decline of exports, U.S. purchases of P-W papers decreased 4% in June compared to the same month last year. P-W paper inventory levels increased when compared to May 2025, the second consecutive increase.
U.S. purchases of uncoated free sheet (UFS) papers for the first six months of 2025 compared to the first half of 2024 decreased 1%. While the UFS inventory level increased 4% compared to May 2025, the current level is 16% lower than June 2024.
Coated free sheet (CFS) paper shipments increased 3% compared to June 2024 while the inventory level decreased 1% compared to May 2025. CFS imports decreased 24% while exports increased 17% in May 2025.
U.S. shipments of mechanical (MECH) papers increased 2% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. MECH inventory levels increased 25% compared to last month. MECH imports decreased 13% while exports increased 31% in May 2025.